3 hours ago
13
Man United appear to be on a collision course with the FA over hosting the 2035 Women’s World Cup final at the new Old Trafford – rather than Wembley.
Officials want to build a new 100,000 home for the Premier League giants and their cause has been boosted by the arrival of the first £26m for the wider redevelopment project around their historic ground.
While United declined to comment, Daily Mail Sport understands that the club is now ramping up its attempts to ensure their proposed venue – and not the national stadium – stages the showpiece fixture in the women’s game a decade from now.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announced the region’s ‘Growth Plan’, which includes 15,000 homes and a 100,000-capacity stadium.
He outlined an initial commitment of £26m for 382 new homes, which represents the first major investment in the Old Trafford Regeneration Area.
Burnham wants Greater Manchester to become ‘a second city to rival any other on the planet by 2050’ and the United project is a huge part of that.
Man United are planning on hosting 2035 Women's World Cup games at their proposed 100,000 seater stadium, mock-up pictured above
United are on a collision course with the FA over where the final could be staged
United are currently locked in talks with Freightliner, over the purchase of a rail terminal behind the Stretford End which is key to their project.
The view is that a new stadium, which is the preferred option, would take around five years to build, although the club have not ruled out a refurbishment of Old Trafford.
United, who would fund the stadium themselves, are yet to go public with their desire to host the 2035 Final but it is understood that doing so is the clear ambition within the club.
While officials do not want to fall out with the FA, their view is that a new Old Trafford would be bigger and more modern, in turn providing a better venue for the final for fans and for FIFA.
The desire has always been to build a ‘Wembley of the North’ and United strongly believe that not all major finals in the UK should be held in London.
They are now expected to push those arguments with both FIFA and the FA.
Reacting to Burnham’s launch Collette Roche, United’s Chief Operating Officer, said: ‘We are delighted to see the Old Trafford Regeneration project at the heart of Greater Manchester’s wider growth plan for the next decade.
‘We want to build the world’s best football stadium as a new home for Manchester United and a venue fit for the biggest international events, including the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, surrounded by a vibrant business, leisure and residential district served by excellent transport links.
‘We are determined to play our part, together with other stakeholders, in making this vision a reality, and unlocking the huge benefits it can deliver for the surrounding community and wider region.’
